Re-discovering the 'touch' in tennis fun for Parker

Usually if an athlete takes a 20-year hiatus from an activity, their performance suffers.

That didn't faze Shelby native Adelyn Parker one bit. Her biggest obstacle was finding time to play tennis.

Parker, a former Shelby High and Davidson College player, stepped away from the game in 1989-1990 to raise children. She and her husband Bill, who played the sport at Gardner-Webb, passed along their competitive fire to three sons.

The oldest son, Will, just completed his tennis career with the UNC Tar Heels. The younger two, Marshall and Ray Webb, were major contributors to Shelby’s recent state high school championship effort.

But Parker – who swam and ran track as well in high school – didn’t return to active participation in tennis until 2009. A member of a Division III national championship team in college, she picked up where she left off. Parker was ranked No. 1 in the state last year in two women’s age divisions – 45s and 50s, by one rating agency.

“I think the last tournament I had played was in August of 1990 and I finished second,” she said. “My first tournament back was in September 2011 and I won.

“Bill and I were helping the children with their tennis in that time. I loved going with them to tournaments and seeing them play.”

But she hoped to get back into playing. She rarely has time to practice but does play in a tournament here and there. Parker does that while still helping manage her sons’ tennis calendar and even geting out to cycle sometimes 70 miles in a day with her husband to stay in shape.

“My boys think its no competition when I play,” she said. “But I think they’re proud of me.”

Selected as the No. 1 player for Senior Cup competition in 2012, last October she won titles in the prestigious Yonahlossee Open in Boone in multiple age categories. She had to beat a former college player and recent ex-college player to win the 4.5 (rating) division crown. That’s playing a tourney schedule where matches may be scheduled at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and again at 4:30.

“I grew up enjoying sports,” she said “I might not hit it that hard but I just enjoyed being back on the court running around. Its just fun.”

The exercise benefits, as well as relieving the stress getting of everyday life, adds to her enjoyment of the game. But winning is part of the fun – now Parker plans to go to Scottsdale, Ariz., in December for a national tournament.

“I enjoy the challenge,” she said. “You meet lots of people. I think playing helps give you a toughness to deal with other things. I would encourage others to compete in something."